GH2 Equine Architects

08/31/2026

A collection of GH2 Equine planned and designed pastures. 🌟🐎🌾

08/28/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University
POST 6️⃣ of 6️⃣:

Designed for safety, efficiency, and flexibility, the 130’ x 250’ Tee Jay Quarter Horse Walker Family Arena supports a wide range of agricultural and equine events, from 4-H and FFA competitions to academic programs and collegiate rodeo.

Adjacent covered stock holding pens provide a well-ventilated, protected environment for animals while enabling smooth movement between staging and competition areas. Thoughtful operational planning and circulation design enhance both animal welfare and event logistics, creating a facility that serves large-scale events and student-led learning alike.

And, of course, all livestock penning had to be purple 💜🐎🐂

08/26/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University
POST 5️⃣ of 6️⃣:

The Kelly and Marcie Lechtenberg Staging Area is a multi-use space that provides warm-up space for contestants during inclement weather, as well as teaching space for hands-on learning in animal sciences courses.

A dedicated wash area provides space for pre- and post-event animal care, with careful considerations for a space that serves horses, cattle, and other livestock of all sizes.

08/24/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University
POST 4️⃣ of 6️⃣:

Designed to keep users connected to the action, this versatile meeting room offers views of both the arena and staging area while supporting a variety of functions, from small classes and club meetings to event planning and operations. Flexible furnishings and integrated technology create a practical, adaptable space that advances the facility’s educational mission while enhancing collaboration and engagement.
Supporting spaces throughout the venue further elevate the user experience, including a private Mother’s Nursing Room accessed from the Public Lobby area, that provides comfort and convenience for families.

In addition, a state-of-the-art event announcer booth offering exceptional sightlines and technology to support seamless event production.
Together, these thoughtfully designed spaces ensure the facility serves students, participants, spectators, and event staff alike.

08/23/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University
POST 3️⃣ of 6️⃣:

The facility’s main entry and Lechtenberg Lobby were envisioned as more than a point of arrival. Serving as the public face of the venue, the space seamlessly integrates the Bob Clore Box Office, concessions, donor recognition displays, and educational exhibits that showcase Kansas State University’s Animal Sciences & Industry program and its partnerships.
Flexible by design, the space supports a variety of functions, from youth judging camp check-ins to merchandise sales and event hospitality. The result is an inviting, multifunctional environment that celebrates the University’s heritage, recognizes the generosity of its supporters, and creates a memorable first impression for every guest who enters the facility.

08/20/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University

POST 2️⃣ of 6️⃣:
The Sixes Sixgun Lounge, named after the award-winning stallion, provides a flexible VIP experience on the second floor with spectacular views of the arena and staging areas, as well as access to a mezzanine that wraps around the arena. Expansive glazing connects guests to the action below, while flexible furniture arrangements allow the space to accommodate seated banquets, meetings, seminars, and hospitality events. A thoughtfully integrated built-in cabinet serves dual purposes, functioning as a serving bar during events and transforming into a podium for educational sessions and presentations. The result is a versatile venue that enhances engagement, functionality, and the overall visitor experience.

08/17/2026

FACILITY SERIES: Bilbrey Family Event Center at Kansas State University
POST 1️⃣ of 6️⃣:

The Bilbrey Family Event Center is a hub and gateway for animal sciences at Kansas State University. The multispecies event center and competition arena supports a number of activities: from academic programs to youth and extension efforts in equine and livestock sciences, to the K-State Rodeo Club and collegiate rodeo events. This facility, located on the newly renamed street ‘Animal Science Gateway’ serves as a destination for current and future students, Kansas stakeholders, and the regional and national livestock and equine industry.

We’ll spend the next several posts focusing on details, but this 77,000-square-foot facility includes:

➕ the 130’ x 250’ Tee Jay Quarter Horse Walker Family Arena
➕ bleacher seating for 3,300 people
➕ stock penning, bucking chutes and roping boxes
➕ 80’ x 80’ staging area
➕ covered wash area for horses, cattle, and small livestock
➕ manager’s office, meeting room, restrooms with showers, and a security / first aid room
➕ open lobby with concessions and beverage sales
➕ mezzanine level VIP area with views overlooking the arena and staging area

It was an honor to have provided master planning, full architectural services, interior design, and landscape architectural services on this incredible facility and we can’t wait to attend the endless number of activities it will host for many years to come.

08/10/2026

If you’ve ever considered adding an indoor arena to your property, we’re sharing a few design considerations to think about before you get started:

▪️ Site Location? While locating flat areas at higher elevations on your site will help minimize sitework costs and help with drainage, you’ll also want to consider proximity to your barn(s) and utilities, as well as equipment access. Setting the arena deeper into the site will make the structure appear smaller, but will cost more. Locating an arena is often a balancing act of functionality, budget, and aesthetics (which is what we’re here to help you with).
▪️ Size? We typically start with a recommendation of 100’ x 200’, because this provides great flexibility for a wide range of disciplines, and increase or decrease based on constraints – use, site, budget, etc. For height, we recommend a *bare* minimum of 14’ to the bottom of the structure, which is an acceptable height when mounted, but taller will always feel more comfortable.
▪️ Heating and/or Cooling? Horses aren’t as affected by (moderate) cold as they are by the heat, so we design passive ventilation - large doors and windows, vented ridges, cupolas, skylights, etc.- to address warm weather. These systems can be supported by active ventilation, such as HVLS fans or full conditioning. On the flip side, providing localized heating (such as radiant heaters) for people who aren’t moving around (trainers, spectators, etc.) to take the edge off when it’s cold is best, as fully heated arenas can often be more difficult on horses working.
▪️ Insulation? Short answer, yes! Long answer, insulating any structure will help maintain a more comfortable temperature, regardless of the season. Another fantastic benefit is acoustics; if you’ve ever ridden in a metal-roofed, non-insulated indoor arena while it’s raining, insulation would’ve helped reduce the noise.
▪️ Lighting? We love natural light! Naturally lit arenas are pleasant to ride in year-round and save on energy bills because you don’t need to rely on lights. There are many options for pulling in natural light that also avoid shadows/hot spots and soften the transition from outside to inside. When artificial light is needed, LEDs are the way to go for energy savings, minimizing the total number of fixtures (while still reaching a goal of 50 footcandles), and reduced maintenance.

Any other considerations you have questions about? Let us know in the comments!

08/03/2026

Stills from a peaceful barn morning to kick off August ✨ ☀️

07/29/2026